Power in the name of Jesus

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>I sent an email recently with a letter my brother had written me.  We are
>still discussing the Trinity and baptism in the name of Jesus.  He just
>emailed me back, and he still doesn't see it.  He is saying that to do
>something "in the name of the Lord" is not necessarily to say the word
>"Jesus" but what is in your heart - he gives examples such as in the Old
>Testament people did things in the name of the Lord without saying the
>literal name of God.  Therefore, he argues that it does not matter whether
>you are baptized in the titles or in the name.  I have already given him
>all the baptism scriptures   He also said he realizes now that I do not
>believe he and my mother are saved.  I feel so burdened for him.  I do not
>know if I should give him any more scriptures or just leave it alone and
>pray for him. Sometimes it is hard for me to understand why people can't
>see the truth.  I guess it really does come down to the heart.  Please keep
>him in your prayers, and if you have any scriptures the Lord lays on your
>heart about the power of the literal "name" let me know.  Please keep
>Jonathan in your prayers.
>
>God bless you
>
>Rachel
>
>
>
>Rachel
>
>===========================
>Rachel Ramos, Senior Support Specialist
>UT-Houston School of Allied Health Sciences
>PO Box 20708
>Houston, Texas  77225-0708
>
>voice: (713) 792-4466, x3072
>  fax: (713) 792-5352
>email: rramos@acad1.sahs.uth.tmc.edu
>===========================

Sister Rachel,

It sounds to me like what you have said to your brother has done some good. If your words were having no effect, he would not be trying to think up reasons to invalidate them, he would simply ignore them. My advice (take it for what its worth) is to use one of the methods Jesus used in dealing with people. Ask them questions. Make them think and let them see how their thinking lines up with the word of God.

For example, you mentioned that your brother believes you do not think he and your mother are saved. OK. Ask him why he came to that conclusion, and ask him why, Biblically he knows he and your mother are saved. Then just listen. Let him tell you his reasons and try to give you Scripture and examples of people being saved this way in the Bible.

When he does, continue to ask questions, (this is a good point to listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit) that make him judge his own view as either Biblical or not. 

Lastly, if he says it makes no difference as to the matter of baptismal formula, ask him why is he so opposed to being baptized in Jesus name. I have had this discussion with a number of my trinitarian friends, and at some point they come to the realization that they do have a bias against Jesus' Name baptism, and don't hold both formulae as equal. With this objection out of the way, you can then discuss why he prefers baptism in the titles over Jesus' Name baptism. 

Most of all, keep praying. I will too.

In Jesus' Name,

Frank Vandenburg